“Actress, producer, writer, daughter, sister and transgendered woman” Laverne Cox discuses her experience growing up trans as part of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) and GLAAD’s “I AM: Trans People Speak” campaign.

Designed to raise awareness about the diversity of transgender communities, “I AM” gives voice to transgender individuals, as well as their families, friends, and allies.

Interestingly enough, Laverne talks fondly about the black church has had on her life, which has often been at odds with the LGBT community. In fact, Cox contributes her success to the church, where she first started to perform.

“The positive influence the black church has had on me as an African American does not go away just because I am transgender,” she says. “All the things that I learned from the black church do not go away just because I am transgender.”